Viola H. Riley Shrimpton

Viola Helen Riley Shrimpton was born on January 11, 1939, the daughter of John and Florence (Kessel) Mathies in Denison, Iowa. She was raised in the Denison Community and attended the Deloit Public Schools. 

She married Joe Riley and to this union they were blessed with three children. The couple later divorced but remained good friends over the years. On April 25, 1981, Viola married Alvin Shrimpton at the United Methodist Church in Deloit. Their union was a testament to love, commitment, and partnership throughout the years.

Viola was employed for several years at Cronk’s in Denison, Joanie’s in Deloit, and she spent more than two decades working for Candy Kitchen also in Denison. She also briefly worked at Anthony’s Department Store in Atlantic. Viola grew up in the Catholic faith and then was a member of the United Methodist Church in Deloit for many years until it closed in 2002. 

For many years, she resided with her son Rick who lovingly looked after her. She had a passion for planting flowers and visiting the casino, where she found joy and excitement in the simple pleasures of life. Viola was a pillar of strength and support for her loved ones, always ready with a listening ear and a gentle word of wisdom.

Viola passed away on Friday, August 2, 2024, at the Crawford County Memorial Hospital in Denison at the age of 85 years, 6 months, and 22 days. Viola was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Alvin Shrimpton; brother, Allen “Jack” Mathies and his wife Fern; and sisters: Alma and her husband Don Fritz and Mary Ann and her husband Wilbert Segebart. 

She is survived by her children: Rick J. Riley of Deloit, Joe F. Riley and his wife Candy of Schaller, and Lisa and her husband Trent Oloff of Bellevue, Nebraska; 4 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; brother, Lloyd Mathies and his wife Deb of Deloit; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. 

Visitation with family greeting friends will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Friday, August 9, 2024 at the Huebner Funeral Home in Denison. A graveside service will follow in the Deloit Cemetery in Deloit. Memorials may be directed to the family.